Coldplay Malaysia concert proceeds after ‘kill switch’ warning from officials

What happened: The two-hour concert, part of the band’s “The Music of the Spheres World Tour,” was held at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, on Wednesday. As many as 75,000 fans reportedly attended.

Coldplay performed 26 songs, including their hits “Higher Power,” “My Universe” and “Humankind.” Frontman Chris Martin did an impromptu, two-minute song about Malaysian rain as the venue took heavy rainfall that night.

About the “kill switch”: Malaysian authorities reportedly warned the band before they went on stage, telling them that a “kill switch” would cut their performance in the event of any “unwanted incident.” The warning was served after the country’s conservative Muslims opposed their supportive stance on the LGBTQ+ community and to deter the repeat of an incident involving The 1975 in July.

While communications and digital minister Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that they had discussed the “kill switch” with organizers beforehand, he said they never anticipated any problems.

Support for Palestine: Earlier this week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim acknowledged Coldplay’s support for Palestine.

“Because there are lobbyists from the Palestinian movement who support and have given their views to the foreign minister, and my office has stated, why should we stop a group that supports the Palestinian cause from performing?” the prime minister said at a parliament meeting about the concert on Tuesday.

Martin affirmed his stance on giving unconditional love to anyone who needs it — citing places currently embroiled in conflict such as Palestine, Israel, Ukraine and Russia— during the band’s concert in Tokyo earlier this month.